1. Investor Tuesday / Funding 101

When it comes to startup funding, too many enterprises often face challenges in understanding the funding dynamics of the system. The Chennai Angels (TCA) is one of the foremost angel investor networks in India. They help entrepreneurs build and grow their ventures and enterprises.

The team from The Chennai Angels (TCA) is present at TiE Chennai office, every last Tuesday of the month to meet with TiE Chennai members.  Tuesday, January 30th, saw keen entrepreneurs and enterprise owners meet the team from TCA and have their queries resolved. Main topics of discussion were largely centered on understanding the need for raising business capital, how to be funding ready and understanding the types of funding. Seed funding queries was also another highlighted topic of discussion.

The slots for Investor Tuesdays are on first come first served basis. The next Investor Tuesday /101 funding will be held on Tuesday, February 27th at TiE Chennai office, between 10 am to 1 pm.

2. TiE Young Entrepreneur Program (TYE)

TiE Young Entrepreneur Program (TYE), a 6 month long Global Program, that is devoted to foster entrepreneurship among the young started on Saturday, January 20th at IITM Research Park.  The participants are from classes 9th to 12th. With the overwhelming response received from students, the numbers have swelled to 45 participants. Parent’s encouragement has gone a long way in making this program a successful one.

Children have already interacted and attended sessions under Mr. Saravanan ‘Sarav”  Sundarmoorthy – Founder of Skill Angels, Mr. Chandu Nair – Entrepreneur Advisor, Charter Member of TiE Chennai, Mr. Jayakumar M – Co-Founder of Agrya Consulting and Ms. Sneha Priya, the CEO and co-founder of SP Robotics,

A participant Michell Almeida of class XI speaks “Through the program we have now learnt opportunity cost, cost benefit analysis, SWOT and how to differentiate between finances.  We were told how important it was to analyze our mistakes in the area of financing.  Gaining knowledge through games is not an easy job but the game that “Sarav” sir created was very innovative and that’s something I’ve never seen before”.

3. TiE Reach Salem

TiE Reach is a unique program created by TiE Chennai, to reach out to new and grass root level entrepreneurs in Tier 2 cities of Tamil Nadu. The success of this program has already translated in to induction of new members in the TiE Chennai family. Prominent speakers from TiE Chennai, were present at Grand Estancia, Salem on Friday, 19th January. The speakers were Mr. V Shankar (President, TiE Chennai | Director, Acsys Investments), Mr. K. Mahalingam (Partner, TS Mahalingam & Sons), Mr. Suresh Sambandham (Founder & CEO, OrangeScape Technologies Ltd.) and Mr. Rajesh Nahar (CEO and Co-founder – Cbazaar.com)

Over 200 entrepreneurs from various cities in Tamil Nadu attended the TiE Reach event. TiE Chennai has received invitations to conduct TiE Reach in other cities as well.

4. Marketing As Practiced by Vikas Gupta

During this period, prolific marketing professional and co-founder of 9.9 Media, former Chief Marketing Office at Coca-Cola spoke to a keen audience about how strategic marketing can elevate your brand. Real life case studies and ground up strategies to find ways to increase profitability was showcased.  Open floor interactions had the audience in grip.

5. “Boons and Banes of Artificial Intelligence” – Dr. Kamakoti

Wednesday, 10th January, a packed house greeted Dr. Kamakoti, Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras, for his session on “Boons and Banes of Artificial Intelligence”. The event was held at Raintree, Anna Salai.

It almost felt like going back to college as the professor, thrashed out odd perceptions and initiated a debate on how entrepreneurs could use Artificial Intelligence, in their enterprise.